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Monthly statistics on the international trade in goods, August 2019

31.10.2019 9.00



Finnish Customs, Statistics

Export volumes increased slightly, but export prices fell in August

The value of Finnish exports of goods fell by 1.2 per cent year-on-year, according to the international trade in goods statistics provided by Finnish Customs. The value of Finnish exports was just over EUR 5.0 billion. Export volumes increased by 0.3 per cent, but export prices decreased by 0.6 per cent year-on-year. In January-August, the value of exports increased by 2.6 per cent year-on-year.

The value of imports fell by six per cent in August to about EUR 5.3 billion. Import prices decreased by 6.0 per cent, but import volumes increased by 2.7 per cent year-on-year. In January-August, the value of imports declined by 0.8 per cent year-on-year.

The balance of trade showed a deficit of EUR 245 million in August. In January-August, the trade balance showed a deficit of EUR 649 million. In August 2018, the trade balance showed a deficit of EUR 523 million and a deficit of almost EUR 2.1 billion in January-August.

The terms of trade for international trade are calculated based on the unit value index. Terms of trade show the ratio between export and import prices. The terms of trade improved in August because export prices declined less than import prices. The point figure in August was 101.5, while it was 95.9 in August 2018. The terms of trade declined from the June 2019 point figure of 101.0.

The value of exports of forest industry products fell considerably in August. The value of exports of refined petroleum products declined also. Exports of chemical products, steel, nickel and ores also declined. Exports of machinery and equipment diminished as well in August, but the value of passenger cars exports multiplied from the exceptionally weak reference month. The value of imports of consumer goods, transport equipment and parts thereof increased, while imports of other main groups declined.

Exports to EU countries remained at last year's level, but exports to non-EU countries fell by three per cent year-on-year in August. Exports to Sweden, Russia and Germany increased in August, but exports to the US, UK and the Netherlands declined. Imports from EU countries fell by four per cent and imports from outside the EU by nine per cent in August. Imports from Sweden, China and the United States increased, while imports from Germany, Russia and the Netherlands decreased. In January-August, exports to EU countries grew by one per cent and exports to non-EU countries by five per cent. Over the same period, imports from EU countries remained at the previous year's level, but imports from outside the EU fell by three per cent.

Table 1. Total development (e million)

Direction August 2018 August 2019 Change % January-August 2018 January-August 2019 Change %
Exports (fob) 5 101 5 039 -1,2 41 946 43 022 +2,6
Imports (cif) 5 624 5 284 -6,0 44 028 43 671 -0,8
Balance -523 -245   -2 082 -649  

Table 2. International trade indexes (2010=100)

Index August 2018 August 2019 Change %
2019:08/2019:07
Change %
2019:08/2018:08
Mean *
2018:09-2019:08
Change %
2018:09-2019:08/
2017:09-2018:08
Volume index exports 96,7 97,0 +0,8 +0,3 102,8 +1,4
Volume index imports 102,1 104,9 -2,4 +2,7 106,6 +0,4
Unit value index exports 118,7 118,0 -0,9 -0,6 118,7 +2,7
Unit value index imports 123,8 116,3 -1,3 -6,0 118,8 +1,5

* Moving 12-months averages


Free access to detailed statistics on the international trade in goods through Uljas  http://uljas.tulli.fi

Further information:
Kaarna, Anssi tel. +358 40 332 8153
Telasuo, Christina tel. +358 40 332 1828
forename.surname@tulli.fi

Exports and imports of Finland 2016-2019, August 2019
  • Exports and imports of Finland 2016-2019, August 2019

Asiasanat
Monthly statistics on the international trade Official Statistics of Finland
Seuraava julkistus

29.11.2019